Mora County officials say attorneys from around the country are lining up to help them after the commission adopted a controversial community rights ordinance that bans oil and gas extraction.

The ordinance is controversial because it seeks to restrict the rights that courts have said corporations enjoy. Mora County is believed to be the first county in the nation to adopt such an ordinance.

Major stretches of river have already gone dry, farmers are leaving their land fallow, and cities are clamping down on water use, but things in New Mexico just went from bad to worse Thursday.

The latest map from federal forecasters shows exceptional drought has spread from a quarter of New Mexico to nearly 40 percent in just one week. At this time last year, less than one-tenth of the state was affected by what is considered the worst category of drought.

The Santa Fe National Forest and Valles Caldera National Preserve will enter Stage 1 fire restrictions at 8 a.m. Tuesday due to extreme drought conditions and high fire danger.

During Stage I fire restrictions, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove is prohibited, except in Forest Service developed campgrounds and picnic areas where grills and fire rings are provided.

In 1963
Thursday, May 16 — A caravan from Albuquerque to study and select semi-precious stones, found close to the Circle Drive West of Las Vegas, is planned for later this month. Pete Pankratz, formerly of as Vegas, now retired from U.S. Postal Service and now living in Albuquerque, will arrive to complete arrangements with members of the Chamber of Commerce. The group will hunt semi-precious stones found near the Circle Drive West of Las Vegas. The trip will be made by way of the Mineral Hill route and back to Las Vegas through Gallinas Canyon.

Kiwanis Bike Safety Rodeo is Saturday
The 22 annual Kiwanis Bike Safety Rodeo will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. this Saturday at the NMHU Wilson Gym parking lot. Cost is $5 and includes a new helmet or $1 if attendee provides a helmet. Ages 5 to 12. For more information, call 425-3637.